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                    WISCONSIN CONSTITUTION                          225
                             PREAMBLE
E, THE people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our
      freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect gov-
      ernment, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general
welfare, do establish this constitution.
                              ARTICLE I
                          DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
  Equality; inherent rights. Section 1. All men are born equally free and
independent and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, lib-
erty and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments
are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed.
  Slavery prohibited. Section 2. There shall be neither slavery, nor in-
voluntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for the punishment of
crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.
  Free speech; libel. Section 3. Every person may freely speak, write
and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the
abuse of that right, and no laws shall be passed to restrain or abridge
the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions or in-
dictments for libel, the truth may be given in evidence, and if it shall
appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous be true, and was
published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be
acquitted; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and
the fact.
  Right to assemble and petition. Section 4. The right of the people
  peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition
  the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged.
  Trial by jury. Section 5. The right of trial by jury shall remain in-
  violate, and shall extend to all cases at law without regard to the
  amount in controversy; but a jury trial may be waived by the parties in
  all cases in the manner prescribed by law. Provided, however, that the
  legislature may, from time to time, by statute provide that a valid ver-
  dict, in civil cases, may be based on the votes of a specified number of
  the jury, not less than five-sixths thereof.
  Excessive bail; cruel punishments. Section 6. Excessive bail shall not
  be required, nor shall excessive fines be imposed, nor cruel and unusual
  punishments inflicted.
  Rights of accused. Section 7. In all criminal prosecutions the accused
  shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the
  nature and cause of the accusation against him; to meet the witnesses
  face to face; to have compulsory process to compel the attendance of
  witnesses in his behalf; and in prosecutions by indictment, or informa-
  tion, to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or dis-
  trict wherein the offense shall have been committed; which county or
  district shall have been previously ascertained by law.
  Prosecutions; second jeopardy; self-incrimination; bail; habeas corpus.
  Section 8. No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense with-
  out due process of law, and no person for the same offense shall be put
  twice in jeopardy of punishment, nor shall be compelled in any criminal
  case to be a witness against himself. All persons shall, before convic-
  tion, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when
  the proof is evident or the presumption great; and the privilege of the
  writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless when, in cases of
  rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
  Remedy for wrongs. Section 9. Every person is entitled to a certain
  remedy in the laws for all injuries or wrongs which he may receive in
  his person, property or character; he ought to obtain justice freely, and
  without being obliged to purchase it, completely and without denial,
  promptly and without delay, conformably to the laws.